Why Do Jeans Ripple, Pucker, or Wrinkle in the Wash?
1. Heat Damages the Stretch Fibers
Most jeans today aren’t made from 100% cotton. They usually contain Lycra or elastane, which gives them flexibility and a flattering fit. Unfortunately, these fibers are extremely sensitive to heat.
High temperatures in the washer or dryer cause Lycra to deteriorate. When that happens, the surrounding cotton fibers shift and warp unevenly. Instead of shrinking evenly like pure cotton, stretch denim develops random ripples and puckers.
Once the elastic fibers are damaged, the change is permanent—there’s no way to fully restore the fabric.
